The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Xiao Yuan and An Ning received the letters sent by the Wei Family after arriving in the Capital and taking them from the guild hall.

The letters mentioned that Mr. Wei intends to marry a second wife and detailed Xin Lan’s background, stating that the marriage is set for this winter. By the time Xiao Yuan and An Ning return next year, there will be an additional member in the household.

After reading the letter, Xiao Yuan and An Ning put it away. An Ning happily remarked, ”Good thing we sneaked away quickly, or else we’d be caught and stuck preparing bridal gifts and all sorts of busy work. That would be so frustrating.”

Xiao Yuan chuckled, ”Actually, not letting Xin Lan into the house would be the best.”

An Ning waved her hand, ”That won’t do. I’m still waiting to compete with her. If she doesn’t marry into your family, how can I deal with her?”

At this point, she couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Xiao Yuan noticed An Ning smiling more, and she seemed much more cheerful. Compared to before, her personality had become noticeably more lively.

Xiao Yuan thought it was a good thing, as it showed that An Ning had come to terms with many things and no longer obsessed or fussed over them. This way, she wouldn’t be disturbed by the Heart Demon in her cultivation and would truly achieve enlightenment.

Moreover, he liked this optimistic and cheerful side of An Ning.

”Let’s reveal the Imperial List tomorrow.”

Xiao Yuan suggested.

An Ning nodded emphatically, ”Yes, let’s do it tomorrow, or else if the Noble Princess Consort visits, where will we find support?”

The two of them planned it out, and the next day An Ning really did go to reveal the Imperial List.

Also, as Noble Princess Consort Chu’s condition worsened, she now slept for more than half of the day. When she did wake up, it was only for a few hours, and even then, her body felt extremely uncomfortable.

Emperor Jianyuan was distressed over Noble Princess Consort Chu’s illness, and he had several outbursts in the court, even penalizing several Ministers. Now, the entire Capital, from the civil and military officials to the common people, was on edge, fearing the day Noble Princess Consort Chu might pass, leading Emperor Jianyuan to vent his anger on them.

Emperor Jianyuan, left with no alternative, thought of seeking a Divine Doctor from the worldly society to treat Noble Princess Consort Chu’s illness.

The Imperial List had been posted for quite some time, and no one dared to reveal it. Finally, today, a simpleton did, and the guards watching over the list were delighted. They hurriedly took An Ning to meet Emperor Jianyuan.

Before leaving, An Ning even told one of the guards, ”Brother guard, could you make a trip...and inform my husband that I am going to the palace? Let him not worry.”

The guard thought to himself that since she was going to the palace, her husband was bound to worry.

But then he considered that since this young lady dared to reveal the Imperial List, she must have some skills, and perhaps she could cure the Noble Consort’s illness. If that happened, she could indeed rise to prominence. With that thought, the young guard indeed went to send a message to Xiao Yuan.

An Ning was led to the palace gate, and soon someone went inside to pass the message. After a quarter of an hour, a young eunuch came running out briskly, ”Where is the Divine Doctor? Where is the Divine Doctor?”

Seeing An Ning, the young eunuch was startled, ”Miss, are you sure about this? If you go in and can’t treat Her Majesty’s illness, your life could be at risk...”

An Ning raised an eyebrow, ”Since I dare to reveal the Imperial List, I am sure about it. Cut the chatter and take me in quickly.”

As they walked into the palace, the young eunuch kept stealing glances at An Ning.

An Ning asked him, ”Why do you keep looking at me?”

The young eunuch frowned, ”You look like someone to me.”

”Like who?”

An Ning pressed.

The young eunuch shook his head vigorously, ”It shouldn’t be. Chief Bai’s family has long had no relatives, and all these years I’ve never heard of Chief Bai having any family.”

An Ning committed the name Chief Bai to memory.

”Are you saying I resemble Chief Bai? Who is Chief Bai?”

The young eunuch was startled for a moment before he exclaimed, ”You don’t know Chief Bai? You are truly uninformed!”

An Ning laughed, ”I’m from a small place, probably not well-versed. Please tell me about it.”

The young eunuch spoke with some pride, ”Alright, considering you look like Chief Bai, I won’t fuss with you. Let me tell you that Chief Bai is the Chief Steward of the palace, the one Your Majesty trusts the most. He manages not only the affairs of the harem but also has a say in court matters. People call him the Chief Minister.”

An Ning’s eyes shifted, ”That impressive, huh? Knowing Chief Bai must make you quite impressive as well. I’m truly honored.”

The young eunuch became even more proud.

Very soon, An Ning was led to the Qianyuan Hall.

Upon entering, she saw a man wearing a dragon-embroidered robe sitting behind the Imperial Case. An Ning promptly knelt and shouted for Longevity.

Emperor Jianyuan was momentarily taken aback when he saw An Ning, then said, ”Rise.”

An Ning stood up to one side, appearing particularly quiet.

Emperor Jianyuan observed An Ning while asking, ”Who is your teacher? How did you learn medicine?”

He had Anning’s records on the table, detailing Anning’s life clearly: ”You are the concubine of the Miao Mansion, hardly ever going out, and moreover, you’re not favored at home. Your legitimate mother didn’t even hire a teacher for you, so where did you acquire medical skills?”

Anning blinked: ”In response to Your Majesty, it is precisely because I am not favored that I was able to learn medical skills. When I was three or four years old, I rarely saw my father and legitimate mother’s faces, living on my own in my little courtyard, neglected by the servants. My courtyard was isolated, located by the back door, and I often sneaked out to play. Once, I found an injured man at the back door, and secretly brought him food and drink. Only after he recovered did I learn he was a Divine Doctor. To repay me, he started teaching me medicine, and taught me for over ten years...”

Emperor Jianyuan nodded after hearing this: ”Enough, go see the Noble Consort.”

A palace attendant led Anning to Yuxian Palace.

Upon entering, Anning was greeted by a strong medicinal odor, along with another indescribable scent.

She frowned: ”What incense is this?”

The senior palace maid of Yuxian Palace, Yu E, stepped forward: ”This is anxi incense, lit to suppress the medicinal smell.”

”Extinguish it.”

As Anning spoke, she took a cup of water and poured it into the incense burner: ”From now on, don’t light this incense.”

From behind the bed curtains came a slightly indifferent but somewhat seductive voice: ”Yu E, listen to this Divine Doctor.”

”Yes.”

Yu E took a few steps back: ”Divine Doctor, please take a look at our Empress.”

Slowly, Anning approached the bedside. A hand reached out from behind the curtains, and Anning said: ”Open the curtains. I am a female doctor, and it doesn’t matter. Moreover, by seeing the Empress’s complexion, I can better determine the illness and how to apply medicine.”

Two little palace maids went and opened the curtains, allowing Anning to see the beauty lying on the bed.

The Noble Princess Consort Chu was truly tormented by illness, extremely thin, yet even so, as she lay there, she still looked stunning, exuding an indescribable frailty that elicited pity.

The Noble Princess Consort Chu opened her eyes and looked at Anning.

When she saw Anning for the first time, a trace of shock flashed in her eyes.

Anning did not miss it; she noted the Noble Princess Consort Chu’s unusual reaction in her mind.

She sat down to feel the Noble Princess Consort Chu’s pulse and meticulously observed her complexion, finally saying after some time: ”The Noble Consort is poisoned.”

”What?”

Yu E exclaimed: ”The Empress is poisoned? How come the palace’s Imperial Physicians didn’t diagnose it earlier?”

Anning thought for a moment: ”This poison is difficult to identify, coming from the Western Regions and introduced by worldly society. Technically, it had been extinct for fifty years, yet... it seems there is an expert in the palace.”

The Noble Princess Consort Chu coughed a few times: ”Can you cure it, girl?”

Anning smiled confidently: ”It is fortunate that your illness coincided with my husband’s visit to the Capital. I dare claim if I cannot cure this poison, then no one else can.”

For some reason, the Noble Princess Consort Chu felt like smiling when she saw Anning smile.

She always felt Anning inexplicably brought her joy, making her want to cherish the child.

”Then go ahead and cure it; do your best. If you cannot, it’s fine, I’ll plead with Your Majesty on your behalf.”

The Noble Princess Consort Chu smiled, appearing very gentle, and her voice was soothing. Whatever she said was comforting and made one want to listen, see her continuously, and hear her speak.

Anning thought how the Noble Princess Consort Chu was gravely ill yet still so charming, no wonder she was favored for years.

”Rest assured, I will surely cure you.”

Anning asked Yu E for paper and pen and wrote several medications: ”Go fetch the medicine.”

While Yu E had the little palace maid fetch the medicine, the Noble Princess Consort Chu called Anning to her side to inquire: ”Good girl, where are you from? Who else is in your family?”

Anning smiled, gently massaging the Noble Princess Consort Chu’s right wrist, easing her chest congestion and bringing her inner peace.

”My surname is Miao, and I am called Miao Anning. My father is... Originally, my family lived in Jiangliu County, but later my father was promoted to Wuyuan Deputy Magistrate, so the family moved to Wuyuan City...”

Anning recounted her basic background, then took out a silver needle from her bosom and swiftly pierced the Noble Princess Consort Chu’s right middle finger, letting a bit of black blood drip onto the floor.

”Poisoned after all.”

The Noble Princess Consort Chu watched the black blood drip onto the ground, yet her expression remained unchanged.

She scrutinized Anning more closely, her eyes gaining a touch of excitement: ”Good child, if you cure me, whatever you wish for, I will ask Your Majesty to grant it to you, how about that?”

Anning chuckled lightly: ”I wish for my mother.”

The Noble Princess Consort Chu’s gaze flickered: ”In the future, I will find you a mother who loves you.”